Yamagata Prefecture: Prefecture of Japan

It is part of the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. Its capital is Yamagata.

Yamagata 山形県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
• Romaji	Yamagata-ken
Flag Symbol
Location of Yamagata in Japan
Coordinates: 38°14′25″N 140°21′48″E / 38.24028°N 140.36333°E / 38.24028; 140.36333
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Island	Honshu
Capital	Yamagata
Government
• Governor	Mieko Yoshimura
Area
• Total	9,323.34 km2 (3,599.76 sq mi)
• Rank	9th
Population  (Octber 1, 2012)
• Total	1,151,863
• Rank	35rd
ISO 3166 code	JP-06
Prefectural flower	Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Prefectural tree	Cherry
Prefectural bird	Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata)
Prefectural bird	Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou)
Number of districts	8
Number of municipalities	35
Website	http://www.pref.yamagata.jp/ english/

The aboriginal Ezo (蝦夷) people once lived in the area now known as Yamagata.

Yamagata was part of Dewa Province until the Meiji Restoration.

This area was called "Yamagata" for the first time in Heian period. However, different characters were used to write it. The reason why this area was called Yamagata is not clear. In Nanboku-chō period, Yamagata was written in same kanji that it is today.

Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southwest corner of Tōhoku. It faces the Sea of Japan. It borders Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture on the south, Miyagi Prefecture on the east, and Akita Prefecture on the north.

The Mogami and the Zaou are the two major rivers in the prefecture.

Cities

Thirteen cities are located in Yamagata Prefecture:

National parks

National parks cover about 17% of the total land area of the prefecture. They include:

• Bandai-Asahi National Park

Ōmonoimia jinja is the main Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) in the prefecture.

Yamagata is a farming area. It grows the most cherries and pears in the country. Over 70 percent of cherries in Japan are grown in Yamagata. Growing apples is important around the city of Yonezawa. The safflower is a symbol of Yamagata Prefecture. The number of farms growing safflower have steadily decreased since the 18th century. Yonezawa beef is bred in Yonezawa city. It is one of the most famous varieties of beef in Japan. Yonezawa is also known for its soba noodles.

Shogi (chess) pieces are made in the city of Tendo. The pieces are carved from wood.

Hanagasa festival has been held since 1963 and is one of the major festivals in Tohoku region. At the festival, the dancers dance with "Hanagasa" that is a hat decorated with red flowers. Uesugi snow lantern festival is held on the second weekend of February. The candles in more than 300 snow lanterns and 3,000 snow lamps are lit up.

• Provinces of Japan
• Prefectures of Japan
• List of regions of Japan
• List of islands of Japan
• Montedio Yamagata